Abu Dhabi, December 3, 2025: The United Arab Emirates commemorated its 54th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) with a grand and immersive ceremony held at the newly inaugurated Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. The event transformed the museum into a dramatic stage where the nation’s heritage, resilience, and future aspirations were brought to life through an evocative visual and narrative performance.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with their Highnesses, ministers, dignitaries, and distinguished guests.
A Narrative Led by the Land, the People and the Radio
The celebration unfolded through three symbolic voices — the land, the people, and the radio — presenting the UAE’s journey from ancient civilisation to modern nationhood.
One of the evening’s highlights was a rediscovery of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s leadership legacy. Digitally enhanced footage from the 1968 documentary Farewell Arabia showed Sheikh Zayed travelling through the desert in a 1966 Formal Black Chrysler Newport. A rare matching model, sourced from California and restored with desert-ready adaptations, now stands proudly inside the museum as a tribute to his vision and determination.
A Journey Through Millennia
The narrative transported audiences across 8,000 years of history — beginning with the discovery of one of the world’s oldest natural pearls off Marawah Island, underscoring the region’s early reliance on pearling and trade.
The performance also revisited:
- The Iron Age craftsmanship of Saruq Al Hadid, illuminated by the Al Jabbar constellation.
- The emergence of the Abiel coin 2,000 years ago, symbolising governance, trade, and evidence of early female leadership.
- The maritime achievements of navigator Ahmed Ibn Majid, whose mastery of the kamal helped guide sailors across oceans.
The Union and the Modern Nation
A poignant segment celebrated the formation of the UAE, recreating the gatherings and historic announcement made 54 years ago as the national flag was raised for the first time. Sheikh Zayed’s enduring message — “The Union is the most precious thing that has ever happened on this land” — echoed throughout.
The present-day UAE took the spotlight with the debut performance of the UAE National Orchestra, delivering the national anthem Ishy Bilady and reinforcing the nation’s cultural identity. Veteran journalist Khalil Aylabouni provided narration linking generations.
Looking to the Future
The ceremony celebrated the UAE’s bold trajectory in clean energy, technology, space, and advanced sciences. A dramatic flyover by a Mirage 2000-9 symbolised the nation’s upward trajectory — from the foundations of the land to the heights of the stars.
In a symbolic finale, Sheikh Zayed’s restored Chrysler Newport was driven to the museum’s entrance, marking the continuity of his values and vision “across the land, sea and stars.”
The celebration concluded with children from across the Emirates performing a patriotic anthem, embodying the future of the nation and the living legacy of Sheikh Zayed.
The Zayed National Museum will officially open to the public on Wednesday, December 3, inviting visitors to explore the UAE’s rich heritage and its inspiring journey toward the future.
